Pathomorphosis of erythrocytes in patients with acquired valvular heart diseases and under conditions of their correction.

Scanning electron microscopic study of the morphology and surface architectonics of erythrocytes in patients with acquired aortic and mitral valve diseases showed signs of morphological restructuring of the erythrocyte population. Reversibly transformed transitional red blood cells and irreversibly changed prehemolytical and degenerative erythrocytes were much more incident in these patients than in donors. The number of functionally intact biconcave discocytes notably decreased in comparison with donors. Morphological heterogeneity of the erythrocyte pool increased during the immediate period after replacement of heart valves with mechanical disc prostheses. Disorganization of the surface relief of red blood cells persisted 12-24 months after surgery.